PBS is no newcomer to Melbourne’s ears and hearts. The radio station has been promoting local and independent sounds for 33 years now, and 106.7 is familiar set of digits to anyone wanting to hear something different.

As a community station PBS relies on volunteers and listener subscriptions, and today their annual Radio Festival is kicking off. This year PBS are looking for heroes, everyday heroes who by signing up and crusading against all things middle-of-the-road can keep PBS on Melbourne’s airwaves.

We chat with PBS volunteer and presenter Michael Mullholland (second from left in picture), host of weekly program Junkyard, as the Radio Festival is launching.

Milk Bar: PBS offers something pretty different from commercial radio stations. What do you think makes the station unique?

Michael Mullholland: PBS is unique is its commitment to both local and international music that is generally not heard on other radio stations. By doing this it offers greater variety and real radio.

MB: How much say do the presenters have in what is played?

MM: Presenters have 100% input into what we present, PBS isn’t playlisted like most other stations. By presenting the music that we choose, we are more informed and passionate about what we play on the radio, and I really believe that this comes across on the airwaves.

PBS represents real radio by real presenters. We’re not government funded and rely on our listeners and volunteers (all of the announcers are volunteers) to successfully operate independently.

MB: For those not in the know, what is the PBS Radio Festival?

MM: Radio Festival is the station’s major fundraising event for the year. It encourages listeners to become subscribers to the station, and in so doing put something back into the station. There are heaps of prizes on offer and it’s a very exciting time with all hands on deck!

MB: What have we got to look forward to during the fest?

MM: There are awesome daily prizes being given away, as well as the major prizes on offer. Special guests and musicians will come in too, talking about what PBS means to them.

MB: What are some ways people can get involved?

MM: People can help in heaps of ways – by volunteering for the phone room, helping make up mail packs or by simply by tuning in and subscribing during the festival.

The PBS Radio Festival, runs from May 14-27.
For details on how to become a subscriber, volunteer or even just a listener(106.7 on the radio dial, in case you forgot) visit: pbsfm.org.au